New Advocacy Group Emerges from Tragedy

A $22,500 reward for the cat killer’s identity is still being offered.

A new council has been formed to address animal cruelty in Westchester
County.

n April, 2014 the worst case of animal cruelty in Westchester history was
discovered in Yonkers, when – initially – one dead animal was found dangling
from a tree branch in Yonkers. This animal had been eviscerated and it was
hard to make out what it was at first, but was subsequently determined to be
a white cat that had been strung up from a branch of a crooked tree. Next to
it hung a black bag with another dead cat, and it was determined that 25
other cats suffered the same fate.

These cats were beaten to death, and forensics would disclose that some
had died a year ago, while others were slaughtered within the week. The
sheer numbers and brutality of this case were profoundly upsetting and
reported on all over the U.S. and the world.

This case remains unsolved despite a massive public outcry and the offer
of a reward for almost $25,000 for information leading to an arrest.

As a result of this incident, a group of concerned citizens have
organized The Cat Protection Council of Westchester, with its stated
mission: “To better the lives of cats in Westchester County, N.Y., through
advocacy, education and community outreach; the 12-member council will work
together as a united team for at least one year to open lines of
communication with the SPCA of Westchester and local humane and other law
enfor cement agencies throughout the county to assist with gathering and
reporting information related to crimes against cats to ensure that charges
are brought and cases won against any person who commits such acts.

“The council will also work with these and other entities to educate the
people of Westchester County about the benefits of spaying and neutering
cats (owned, stray or homeless, and feral) and assist in facilitating the
development of low- and no-cost spay/neuter programs.”

The council, initiated by national organization Alley Cat Allies, has
already met with SPCA management and law enforcement representatives to
discuss improved methods of reporting and stopping animal cruelty, as well
as other issues to facilitate SPCA responsiveness to the community. The
council has also met with members of the Yonkers City Council to discuss,
among other things, an upcoming cleanup and restoration of the site where
the cats were killed, to then turn it into a place of peace and memorial.

The City Council has allotted $15,000 toward a trap, neuter and release
program there, which will be an enormous help in reducing the number of
homeless and vulnerable cats, said the council.

Council spokesperson Kiley Blackman says, “We will not let this case go
cold,” said council spokeswoman Kiley Blackman.

“We expect it to be solved. This is the second incident of a similar
nature here, where several cats previously were poisoned, which makes a
total of almost 35 animals. The savage, alarming murder of those helpless
little innocents and the numbers involved showed that special attention had
to be paid on their behalf. We don’t want the world to think animal cruelty
is tolerated here.

“Cats unfortunately are still some of the most misunderstood and ignored
of the group considered ‘companion animals’ – because of this the sicker
bullying element feels freer to torture and harm them with impunity,” she
continued. “But cats are sentient, intelligent beings that don’t deserve to
be mistreated. We thank the mayor and the City of Yonkers for the kind and
considerate help they’ve provided for this heartbreaking cause.”

WESTCHESTER4GEESE is an adjunct of ANIMAL DEFENDERS OF WESTCHESTER.
We advocate against all forms of animal abuse and exploitation,
including hunting, experimentation, fur, circuses and rodeos
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https://www.facebook.com/Westchester4Geese

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